Personal Foul by Lucy J. Madison

I tend to be a sucker for romance novels that have a sports influence. While I love to run, I really don’t watch much in the way in sports. I definitely do not watch basketball, but I love athletics and the inner drive for success. So when I came across Personal Foul by Lucy J. Madison I was intrigued.

Kat Schaefer is a WNBA referee. This former college basketball player has spent her whole life dedicated to the game. It was literally her refuge from a terrible childhood. While basketball gave her a future and an escape from her small Midwest hometown it has also caused her personal struggles. Her girlfriend has just left her. The reason she left Kat for another woman, Kat spends too much time on the road for her job and she just can’t stand to be alone anymore.

Enter our other leading lady WNBA rookie Julie Stevens. Julie is hot right now, her shots are on fire and she is playing like the absolute superstar she was destined to be. The only problem she has is that she is terribly attracted to a ref. Yep, Kat Schaefer.

So, the book has a great premise. You definitely have the set up for a push- pull angsty relationship. I mean it’s never a good idea for a player to date a referee right. This has to be a big no-no. The only problem is while Kat’s personal strife is set-up. You never really feel a strong connection between the two leads. There is attraction, sex, conflict and then resolution. You never feel the love you just hover around. In Personal Foul there is way too much telling, not enough showing and not nearly enough dialogue between Kat and Julie.

2 out of 5 stars

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review.